King World told the 207 stations that carry Wheel of Fortune last Tuesday (Sept. 22) that beginning Oct. 5, episodes of the show will take on a different, "glossier' look with major prizes of Jaguar cars, $40,000 diamond necklaces and $50,000 zero coupon bonds. Additionally, the freshened version of the show will delete the shopping spree at the end of each of the show's three game rounds, creating time for a fourth game within the show.
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Each round of the show will now include higher cash prizes since, for Wheel fans, the winning of money "is what people go for,' according to King World chairman Roger King. The maximum that a contestant can win will also be raised from $75,000 to $100,000.
"'Wheel of Fortune' given new spin: next month show takes on new look, new format and more expensive prizes." Broadcasting 28 Sept. 1987: 54-55.